FUFA Drum: Alioze heroics send West Nile to final

PIC: West Nile province players celebrating their semi-final victory over Busoga province. (Credit: Bruno Mugooda)

FOOTBALL

FUFA DRUM SEMI-FINAL:

Busoga province 0 West Nile province 0
(West Nile win 5-4 on penalties)

Nabian Alioze hogged the honours as his heroic penalty save helped West Nile province beat Busoga province in an enthralling FUFA Drum semi-final.

Alioze's sharpness in front of goal was the reason Anthony Mayanja could not bury the ball past him in a penalty shootout after a goalless normal time affair at Bugembe Stadium.

Having proved the more dominant side across the two halves, Busoga should have put the contest to rest. But profligacy on the part of their attackers in front of goal was their undoing.

Winger Mayanja and Dan Wandyaka were guilty parties in this context.

West Nile weathered the storm and held on for a dramatic series of penalties to decide who secures a spot in the final.

Dan Shabena, Shafik Batambuze , Joel Madondo and Richard Wandyaka converted their takes from the spot for Busoga.

But Mayanja's miss proved decisive.

Mustafa Kizza, Fred Amaku, Mark Tabu, Villa Orumchan and Filbert Obenchan all buried their spotkicks as West Nile sealed their place in the final of the budding competition.

"We dominated and created many chances, but we were not sharp enough to kill off the game and that cost us a lot," said Charles Ayiekho, Busoga's head coach.

"We give a lot of credit to the Busoga team, though we missed two KCCA FC players and eight from Onduparaka FC, who are preparing for their match against SC Villa," said his opposite, Mike Letti.

"We came here with the spirits high enough to reach our dream final no matter Busoga's home advantage."

West Nile province featured veteran striker Brian Omony, who is hoping to use this tournament to regain his fitness.